Kirinyaga: Family in shock as man dies by suicide after leaving instructions on burial

According to relatives, Kimunyu had earlier expressed distress and threatened to take his own life, but his concerns were not taken seriously. Before his death, he reportedly stated that if he died in the river, he wished to be buried within 24 hours.

“He said that if he threw himself into the river, he should be buried within 24 hours. He was a good person and friendly to everyone in the community, but he never married,” said his sister, Ann Njeri.

Kimunyu’s body was later retrieved from River Nyamindi on Tuesday. Police said he had his clothes on and Ksh. 200 in his pocket at the time of recovery.

The family is now facing difficulties fulfilling the burial request due to financial constraints. Police have indicated that a post-mortem examination is required before burial, which the family says they cannot afford.

“We have no money to bury him. The police say a post-mortem must be conducted, but we do not have the Ksh. 10,000 needed,” Njeri said, fighting back tears.

The deceased’s 90-year-old mother, Peris Wanjiru Kamunyu, expressed despair over the situation. “Who will bury him? He was not married and does not belong to any community group that can help us,” she said.

Njeri said her brother died on Sunday and was to be buried within 24 hours, but this has not been possible. “Today is Tuesday. We agreed with the officers that we will visit Kianyaga Police Station to obtain an affidavit so that we can take the body to Kiarigi village. However, we still have challenges with transport,” she explained.

Village elder Duncan Njiru also expressed concern over the family’s predicament. “We retrieved his body from River Nyamindi, and the deadline he had given was Sunday. The family is unable to meet it,” he said.

Authorities are continuing to engage the family.